Dogs' endearing features result of genetic changes caused by domestication

July 15, 2014 3:40 PM

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The domestication of animals such as dogs through the years may have resulted in genetic changes in them that can be held responsible for their endearing dog characteristics such as floppy ears, small jaws, and white patches of fur.

Researchers prefer to call this behavior as the domestication syndrome. Published in the journal Genetics, the research suggests that the syndrome is also present in horses and pigs, among other mammals, as well as non-mammals including fish and birds.